Stawell Gift icon Maurice Campbell has been remembered as a gentleman and a lover of life.
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Mr Campbell passed away after a four-and-a-half-year battle with melanoma, aged 67.
Mr Campbell became synonymous with the athletics in Victoria, starting a record 12 Stawell Gifts.
His son Sam Campbell said despite facing a number of challenges in his life, his father was always “upbeat”.
READ YOUR TRIBUTES TO MAURICE CAMPBELL BELOW
“The main thing he showed is resilience. Whenever he had a challenge he faced it head on with positivity,” he said.
“He was always positive about life and what it has to offer which has been a remarkable learning experience for my kids.”
Mr Campbell served on Stawell Athletic Club’s committee from 1981, taking on various roles and eventually working his way up to head starter.
Mr Campbell’s predecessor Murray MacPherson served on the committee with Mr Campbell and was heavily involved with helping him work his way to head starter.
“When I was head starter he was my number one assistant – he was very reliable and loyal,” Mr MacPherson said.
“His great love other than his family was the Athletic Club.
“As a starter you have to give every runner an equal chance and he did that. He was firm but fair.”
Mr MacPherson said he will remember Mr Campbell as more than just a starter of the Stawell Gift.
“He had so much to do with other things at the Stawell Athletic Club such as setting up historical pieces in the museum. He also did a lot of work on the grounds,” MacPherson said.
“He also had a lot to do with other Gifts and athletics events across Victoria.”
Stawell Athletic Club president Kieren McIntosh said Mr Campbell is a great loss to the club.
“It is a devastating loss and he will be sorely missed. The club passes on its condolences to Maurice’s family,” he said.
Mr Campbell started his 12th and final Stawell Gift in 2018, an effort his son said was remarkable in itself.
“Dad was really struggling at Easter time but in true style he fought to get up for it,” Sam Campbell said.
“It was a great relief and sense of pride to see him pull the trigger of the final one last time.”
Since passing on Monday night, hundreds of tributes from athletes across Victoria have flooded in remembering Mr Campbell’s life.
“The response has been overwhelming,” Sam Campbell said.
“People have said how he was a true gentleman and a great bloke which is exactly what he was.
“We are also grateful for the extraordinary care Dad was given at Stawell Regional Health.”
Campbell said his father had a big impact on professional running not just at Stawell but in Victoria as a whole.
“Dad loved the sport and the tradition and history that surrounded it,” he said.
“He was a staunch traditionalist and he loved the unique aspects that make the Stawell Gift what it is.”
Mr Campbell is survived by wife Sheryl, son Sam, daughter-in-law Taki and two grandchildren Tanisha and Rrez.
His funeral will be at Ararat’s John Dunn Memorial Chapel next Friday.